Immune cell NT-3 expression is associated with brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis patients

J Neuroimmunol. 2011 Dec 15:240-241:109-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.10.002. Epub 2011 Oct 29.

Abstract

While neurotrophins mediate cell survival and proliferation in the nervous system, they are also expressed within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the immunological system. In multiple sclerosis (MS) neurotrophins released from PBMCs might play a neuroprotective role, delaying neurodegeneration within central nervous system. We aimed for identifying the link between neurotrophins' PBMCs expression and brain atrophy markers in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. We have found that neurotrophin-3 PBMCs concentration is strongly correlated with brain-parenchymal fraction and corpus callosum cross-sectional area, which are well-established brain atrophy measures. Thus, PBMC-derived neurotrophin-3 might exert a direct or indirect neuroprotective effect in MS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Atrophy
  • Corpus Callosum / immunology*
  • Corpus Callosum / metabolism
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / blood
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology
  • Nerve Growth Factor / biosynthesis
  • Nerve Growth Factor / blood
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / blood
  • Neurotrophin 3 / biosynthesis*
  • Neurotrophin 3 / blood
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Neurotrophin 3
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • neurotrophin 4(5) receptor
  • Nerve Growth Factor